Start & Run an Art Teaching Business. Tanya Freedman

Чтение книги онлайн.

       What one does, one becomes.

      — SPANISH PROVERB

      As you get started with your business, you also have to take a long, hard look at yourself. Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

      I define entrepreneur as an industrious, resourceful, tenacious individual who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to achieving his or her highest goals. All an entrepreneur cares about is when, where, and how to succeed. For the entrepreneur, competition is a way of life and perseverance is second nature. Failure is not an option. And an entrepreneur gets to the top with integrity and by being aware of how one’s actions affect the community at large.

      Although there is no guarantee, the more you put into your business, the more you achieve. It is your choice if you spend your days working in a nine-to-five job, and going home to relax in front of the TV. If you want to achieve something more in your life, however, then take the steps to make your dreams become reality. Remember that a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

      Characteristics of an Entrepreneur

      Being an entrepreneur means adapting to the trends and demands of the business environment. You must apply the skills you excel at and learn to constantly exceed your own expectations, and you must also learn how to do new and specialized things (which other professionals can do for you eventually as your business grows). If you are lacking in some skills, act quickly to acquire them. Or at least find ways around this to accelerate the start-up and actual running of the business.

      Doing everything yourself in the beginning is a good way for you to understand the daily running of all aspects of your business. When you are ready to delegate some of these activities, you will have control over and insight into them. The following list contains six different roles of an entrepreneur that you will take on when your start your business:

      • Student/Learner

      • Architect/Designer

      • Administrator/Implementer

      • Politician/Negotiator

      • Coach/Mentor

      • Wizard/Miracle Worker

      Let’s break down what each of these entrepreneurial roles represents:

      As a student you will need to —

      • listen to your customers (i.e., your students and their parents) and pay attention to your staff’s needs and suggestions about how to continually improve the business,

      • deal with different personalities and behaviors,

      • improve your decision-making strategies,

      • conduct market research to improve services, and

      • conduct self-evaluations and continue personal development.

      As an architect you will need to —

      • be a visionary,

      • be strategic, precise, and a creative business planner,

      • set short- and long-term goals,

      • create and implement innovative programs, and

      • be a web designer.

      As an administrator you will need to —

      • organize your business processes (e.g., accounting and bookkeeping),

      • organize and stock inventory (such as art supplies), and

      • manage time and make things happen.

      As a politician you will need to —

      • be a hybrid of a diplomat and salesperson,

      • make good first impressions,

      • keep clients returning,

      • attract new clients,

      • understand and deliver what clients really need,

      • network and communicate with clients, potential clients, staff, and other professionals that you will come in contact with,

      • be an effective negotiator who can close a deal,

      • strive to keep everyone happy, and

      • resolve conflicts.

      As a coach you will need to —

      • be a cheerleader and mentor by bringing out the best in all your contacts (i.e., clients, parents, staff, suppliers, and partners),

      • be an active listener,

      • be a human resources expert, training and motivating staff,

      • uphold strict moral codes as well as personal and professional integrity, and

      • express your visions for the business to staff and partners.

      As a wizard you will need to —

      • be a miracle worker and multitasker who juggles all of the above roles (i.e., student, architect, administrator, politician, and coach), and

      • be a resourceful and creative problem solver with a winning attitude.

      These СКАЧАТЬ